> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ismms-gs.gitbook.io/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-1-1/phd-in-biomedical-sciences-and-neuroscience/dissertation-defense/dissertation-deposit.md). # Dissertation Deposit **See** [**Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress**](/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-1-1/phd-in-biomedical-sciences-and-neuroscience/program-requirements/standards-for-maintaining-satisfactory-progress.md) Once a student has successfully defended the dissertation, makes all relevant revisions, and is ready to deposit the Dissertation, s/he should deposit the dissertation electronically according to the instructions in the Doctoral Thesis Deposit Instructions document, available on the [Levy Library Dissertation and Theses Submissions webpage. ](https://libguides.mssm.edu/dissertations/ETDsubmission) Students should submit the Student Checkout form before depositing the dissertation. This form can be found on the [Graduate School forms webpage.](https://icahn.mssm.edu/education/students/registrar/graduate-forms) Failure to do this can result in a delay of the student’s graduation. **MD/PhD students should note the additional requirements/instructions for depositing a dissertation, which are detailed in** [**Chapter 2**](/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-2-1/md-phd-program.md)**.** The dissertation may be deposited at any time during the year, but the following deposit deadlines and enrollment requirements determine the date of the degree.
Degree Conferral Deposit By:Enrolled During the:
May April 15Current spring semester
August August 15Preceding spring semester
December December 15Current fall semester
The degree is awarded on the date of ISMMS’s annual Commencement in May, August 31, or December 31. Students depositing by the April deadline will receive their diploma at Commencement. Those students who have a dissertation or thesis defense scheduled between April 16th and June 30th MAY be eligible to participate in the spring Commencement ceremony even though they have not met the April 15th thesis/dissertation deposit deadline. In cases where a student is allowed to participate, they will not receive a diploma at graduation. Instead, a diploma will be awarded on the conferral date (August 31st) following the successful defense and thesis deposit. Only students in good academic standing will be offered this courtesy. In this case, good academic standing means that all coursework has been completed with passing grades and the student’s mentor/committee fully expect the student will successfully defend their thesis/dissertation prior to June 30th. If either of these criteria is not met, the student will not be allowed to participate in the spring graduation ceremony. Additionally, any student whose written document or oral defense was not acceptable to their committee will not be allowed to participate in Commencement until after successfully defending and depositing. By March 1, students must notify the Registrar of their intent to deposit their thesis on or before the April or August deposit deadlines in order to be included in the Commencement exercises of that year. Commencement information will be sent during the spring semester to the student’s ISMMS email address recorded with the Graduate School Office. If a student fails to deposit their thesis by the end of their seventh year in the PhD program (6th PhD year for MD/PhD students), their dissertation advisor must petition the Dean of the Graduate School in writing for permission to extend their student status. The petition must include a timetable for completing the dissertation and must also be signed by the student. It is the dissertation advisor’s responsibility to inform the Graduate School Office, in a timely manner, the expected date that financial support will be terminated. **Students are required to deposit their dissertations within specific time frames based on the outcome of their defense. Dissertations approved as presented or with minor revisions must be deposited within five weeks. Dissertations approved pending major revisions must be deposited within eight weeks.**
Defense Outcome/ResultDeposit
No Revisions - Approved as presentedFive weeks
Minor Revisions - Minor additions and edits to the text, formatting and organizational changes, addition of references to existing text, additions/corrections to the preface. Minor revisions should be completed to the Chair's satisfaction and deposited within five weeks after the defense.Five weeks
Major Revisions - Inclusion of additional data, inclusion of additional data analysis, substantial additions to the text or rewriting of whole sections. Major revisions must be resubmitted for approval by the Chair and two members of the examining committee and deposited within eight weeks after the defense.Eight weeks
PhD students can maintain student status after the defense, with the stipend and health benefits covered by the dissertation advisor, as outlined in the above timetable. ​Students who fail to meet the deposit deadline may be administratively withdrawn or referred to CAR. Exceptions to this schedule will be considered only under extenuating circumstances. The dissertation advisor must submit a written request addressed to the Dean of the Graduate School **before** the deadline expires. The request must include a timetable for revisions and confirm the advisor’s financial responsibility for the stipend and health coverage. Requests should be sent to the Graduate School administration at . Student Housing: the Real Estate Office provides 4-5 weeks after the dissertation defense to vacate. Extensions may be granted by the Real Estate Office pending availability. **See** [**Standards for Maintaining Satisfactory Progress**](/graduate-student-handbook/chapter-1-1/phd-in-biomedical-sciences-and-neuroscience/program-requirements/standards-for-maintaining-satisfactory-progress.md)